Superscalar Microprocessors Design

My experience in embedded system prepared me for the definition and architecture of CPUs, MPUs. DSPs, and DPUs. The experience didn't prepare me for the dynamic reordering found in out-of-order machines. This book led me to understanding the reason why instructions are already executed while debugging an application. I recommend this book for learning the nuances of superscalar machines.

This book is a terrific tutorial on superscalar hardware design principles and their implications for compilers. It is well organized and crystal-clear. The author, Mike Johnson (aka William M. Johnson), is Advanced Micro Devices' VP of Research and Development. He is an industry leader in microprocessor design and an excellent writer. The book is especially remarkable because it was written some years ago, derived from Mike's Ph.D. dissertation at Stanford. The principles are still current, and no other book explains them so well.

If what you want to know is "superscalar stuff", then this is a must. Nearly all technologies to design superscalar microprocessors are here.